Satellite ready building and method for forming the same

ABSTRACT

A satellite ready building comprises a plurality of studs and satellite wires positioned adjacent to the studs having a first termination and a second termination. A connector is coupled to the second termination of the wires. The first termination is coupled through the roof or the siding of the building. Drywall is installed in the house after the wires are installed. The first termination may be installed in a radome positioned on the roof of the building.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/542,243, entitled “SATELLITE READY BUILDING AND METHOD FOR FORMINGTHE SAME”, by Arthur W. Wang, filed Apr. 3, 2000, which application ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to satellite communicationservices and, more particularly, to forming a satellite ready building.

BACKGROUND ART

Satellite services such as DirecTV® and DirecPC™ are increasinglypopular. These services through a satellite provide televisionprogramming as well as computer downloads and Internet accessrespectively.

These services require the installation of a satellite dish antenna onthe outside of the building. Wires are run from the outside of thebuilding into the building where connections are made to a television ora personal computer.

Many times it is difficult to place the wires or the antenna so that theapparatus is aesthetically pleasing. That is, wires may not beconveniently run within walls and the satellite dish typically is aparabolic antenna that extends from the roof or the side of the house.Moving the TV or personal computer to another room involves re-routingthe wires or adding additional wires to the home. This wiring may alsobe expensive and thus cost prohibitive for many potential customers. Theprocess of outdoor unit (ODU) installation, customized routing, drillingthrough walls, or painful connection debugging dramatically constraintsthe market acceptance of satellite based services, including videoDirecTV® or data DirecPC™.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a satellite readybuilding that allows users to easily move the TV or personal computerwithin the building.

Another growing drawback of using parabolic antenna for satellite basedservices is its visual intrusion that is disfavored by most communitydependent regulations. Most of new houses or multi-unit condominiums arebuilt in a gated community or a privately controlled environment. Thesebuildings typically are regulated more strictly by a privately formedresident association than the buildings without association. However, anassociation based community is the trend of most new houses due toattractive safety/cost advantages and the convenience of sharing publicfacilities. The installations of satellite antennas will likely continueto encounter more difficulty in this manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a satellite readybuilding that allows users to move and “plug-in” the user device such asthe television or computer into various rooms of the building. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a building that is pre-wired priorto completion and prior to installation of the drywall so that the wiresare hidden within the walls to form an aesthetically pleasing building.

Another object of the invention is to use a low profile antenna and amatching radome. The low profile antennas can be implemented throughmany previously proposed techniques, which will be discussed in the mainbody of the invention. The matching radome is a result of selectingappropriate material, using right color, and design engineering. Bothapproaches (low-profile antenna and matching radome) reduce visualintrusion and enhance the market acceptance considering the trend ofadapting new regulations.

In one aspect of the invention, a method of forming a satellite readybuilding comprises the steps of:

-   -   installing drywall on studs;    -   prior to substantially installing drywall, installing satellite        wire within walls of the building;    -   terminating a satellite wire to form a first termination outside        the house;    -   terminating said satellite wire in a room;    -   coupling the wires to a satellite jack.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a satellite ready buildingcomprises a plurality of studs and satellite wires positioned adjacentto the studs having a first termination and a second termination. Aconnector is coupled to the second termination of the wires. The firsttermination is coupled through the roof or the siding of the building.Drywall is installed in the house after the wires are installed. Thefirst termination may be installed in a radome positioned on the roof ofthe building.

One advantage of the invention is that the satellite broadcastingcompany may choose to subsidize builders so that they install satellitewires throughout the house. The service company may also provide aradome for installation on the roof of the building which will house aflat satellite antenna. Another advantage of the invention is that oncethe radome is installed, various types of flat antennas may be placedtherein. Therefore, as service requirements change, various antennas maybe installed therein.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentwhen viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferredembodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings andappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a satellite ready house according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a home prewired according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 a is a cross-sectional view of a radome.

FIG. 3 b is a low profile radome according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a low profile antenna for use in thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a flat antennaaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an adjusting device according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a universal connector according to thepresent invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following figures the same reference numerals are used toidentify the same components in the various views. The present inventionis described with respect to a house. However, those skilled in the artwould recognize that the satellite ready concept is applicable tovarious types of buildings including commercial buildings andmultiple-unit family dwellings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a building such as a house 10 has a satelliteready installation 12 (only part of which is shown). For example,satellite ready home may include a radome 14 installed upon a roof 16 orvertically on the siding of the home. Vertical installation may bepreferred in snowy climates. Radome 14 encloses a flat satellite antennatherein. For aesthetic purposes, the radome 14 may be colored the sameas or close to the color of the roof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a partial cutaway view of house 10 isillustrated. House 10 has walls 18 formed of studs 20 having drywall 22mounted to the outside thereof.

Satellite ready installations may include radome 14 housing a satelliteantenna 24 therein. The satellite antenna 24 is coupled to satellitewires 26. Satellite wires 26 may, for example, be coaxial wires or othertypes of wires suitable for use in satellite communications systems. Thetype of satellite wire may vary depending on the various systemparameters. The satellite wires 26 preferably extend to nearly everyroom in the house and more preferably extend to every room in the house.Satellite wires 26 have a first termination 28 within radome 14 and aplurality of other second terminations 30 in the various rooms of thehouse. First termination 28 is to be coupled to a satellite signalreceiving device or antenna. Second terminations 30 are coupled to aconnector 32. One suitable example of a connector is described belowwith respect to FIG. 7 and is referred to as a universal connector.Connector 32 may be used to couple satellite wires and therefore theantenna 24 to various devices such as a television 34 and a personalcomputer 36. Various types of services may be provided through satelliteantenna 24. Also, those skilled in the art would recognize that morethan one satellite antenna 24 and more than one radome 14 may beinstalled on a roof 16 if various services require various directionalpointing or other types of antennas.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a, a radome 14 is shown mounted upon shingles 38of roof 16. Fasteners 40 such as screws may be used to mount radome 14to rafters 42. Also illustrated is first termination 28 of satellitewires 26 that extend therein. First termination 28 is coupled tosatellite antenna 24.

Referring now to FIG. 3 b, a second embodiment of a radome 14′ isillustrated. In this embodiment, radome 14′ is installed during theinstallation of roof 16 so that radome 14 is partially under shingles38. In both embodiments, radome 14 is preferably formed of a materialthat will not block satellite communication signals from reaching thesatellite therein. For example, various types of plastics may be used.The plastics may also be colored to blend with the colors of thematerials of the house. Advantageously, the radomes are low profile andtherefore are more aesthetically pleasing to prior known mountingmethods.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a first embodiment of a satellite antenna 24 isillustrated. Antenna 24 is a conceptualvariable-inclination-continuous-transverse-stub (VICTS) antenna. Antenna24 has a feed base motor 44 and an aperture motor 46. Motors 44, 46perform azimuth and elevation steering, respectively. Both base motor 44and aperture motor 46 are coupled to a respective disc 48, 49 through arespective belt 50, 51. A plurality of rollers 52 are positioned arounda base 54 to guide the movement of discs 48, 49. One constructedembodiment of an antenna 24 has a low profile having a thickness of 1.2inches. The constructed prototype had a high efficiency above 80 percentwith a wide scan range.

The movement of the discs 48, 49 may be controlled remotely by thedevice user. Of course, those skilled in the art would recognize thatautomatic or semi-automatic steering may be used. Base 54 may alsoincorporate a GPS receiver 56 so that relative positional informationmay be provided to the user.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, motors 44, 46 may beeliminated if a one-time installation with a single pointing directionis desired. This will simplify the design of the antenna 24 and reducethe cost of the system.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a phase array antenna 24′ is illustrated. Phasearray antenna 24′ contains a plurality of elements located in disc 58.Disc 58 is coupled to a rotating frame 60. Rotating frame 60 is coupledto a mount 62 that allows the frame 60 to rotate relative thereto. Aphase array antenna 24′ may be used for both transmitting and receivinginformation from a satellite. Phase array antenna 24′ may also notprovide rotating frame 60 and use an electronically steerable apparatus.Various types of phase array antennas will be known to those skilled inthe art. These types of antennas are typically flat so that the lowprofile aesthetic appeal may be maintained.

For use with geostationary orbit satellites, a single pointing directionsuch as that used in DirecTV® systems may be used. In this manner, thesatellite antenna 24 need only be pointed once.

Another type of antenna is a receive only antenna with semi-automaticsteering terminals. The terminal may be steered to a particular locationbased upon the touch of a button. For example, if two geostationarysatellites are used in different orbital slots, the satellite antennamay jump between a particular satellite by changing its direction.

Also as will be evident to those skilled in the art, two antennas may beprovided, one for transmitting and one for receiving. In this manner,additional power may be provided to the transmitting antennas.

A low profile antenna can be also mounted as a wall device instead of aroof-top device. This feature is extremely valuable for the usage inhigh altitude regions where the elevation angles to GSO satellites islow, where the scanning angles from a wall device is smaller than from aroof device, and where snow covering is a problem. A wall mounted devicecan achieve advantages of smaller scanning angle and less snow blockage.

The satellite ready installation 12 may be also suitable for use withnon-geostationary orbit satellites such as low earth orbit satellites ormedium earth orbit satellites. In this manner, the antenna may be causedto continuously move and track the moving satellite. Such systems arebelieved to be slightly more expensive than stationary systems because amovement mechanism must be provided. However, if mass produced atracking type system could be relatively inexpensive.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a remote control 66 may be used to control thedirection of the antenna 24 if a moveable beam is used. Remote control66 may, for example, have elevation buttons 68 and azimuth buttons 70that may be depressed in order to change the direction of the receivingbeam. The remote control 66 may also be simplified if a fixed number offixed position satellites are used, a simple selection button may beimplemented to move the direction of the receiving beam to theparticular satellites. Remote control 66 may be wireless or may be wireddirectly to the antenna 24.

Referring now to FIG. 7, one suitable connector 32 is illustrated. Asdescribed herein, the connector is referred to as a universal connectorbecause it comprises a number of jacks including a phone jack 72, a LANjack 74, a cable jack 76, and a satellite jack 78. Preferably, at leastone jack is located in each room of the house. Also, at least asatellite connection is provided. Such a system is particularly suitablefor DirecTV® or DirecPC™ because both require a twisted pair of phonejacks 72 and a coaxial cable for its uplink and downlink signalsrespectively. Because homes of the future are likely to have a localarea network therein, an IP address may be associated with each jack.

Of course, various other types of low profile antennas may be includedwithin radome 14. For example, a spiral antenna, many forms ofelectronically steerable array antennas or other types ofelectronically/mechanically steerable hybrid antennas may be used. Also,the outdoor unit may vary in size depending on the type of function thatit is used for. For example, transmitting and receiving antennas mayrequire different size radomes. Also, the antenna may vary depending onthe frequency band it is designed to receive.

In operation, the satellite broadcast provider may provide incentivessuch as subsidizing or partially subsidizing the satellite readyinstallation 12. In such a case, the satellite provider may contact abuilder prior to or during the building of the house. An electrician mayinstall the proper wiring and the connectors 32 during installation ofphone and cable wiring. Various business models may be used, forexample, providing the builder with the radomes, wiring, and potentiallyeven paying for labor for the installation of the wiring in the radome.The owners of the home may also be contacted wherein an incentive suchas rebates or free monthly service for a predetermined amount of timefor authorizing the installation of the satellite ready installation 12.By providing some subsidization, the entry barrier for the satelliteservice would be reduced for the homeowner and thus homeowners would bemore likely to subscribe to such a service.

The satellite wiring is installed into the building during theinstallation of the other electrical wires. That is, the wiring isinstalled before the drywall is installed in the building. This makesrouting of the wires easier, more convenient, and aestheticallypleasing. The wiring may have its second termination not connected to aconnector until the drywall has been installed. For example, the secondtermination 30 may terminate in a common used electrical box and afterthe drywall is installed the termination will be coupled to a connector32.

The antenna may be installed in the radome before or after the house iscompletely built. It is envisioned though that the satellite antennawill be installed after the house is completed and the building isoccupied. The radome 14 is preferably installed during the installationof the shingles or other roof covering. This will provide the mostweatherproof installation for radome 14. This will also provide the mostbuilt-in aesthetically pleasing look.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, numerous variations alternate embodiments will occur to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention belimited only in terms of the appended claims.

1. A method of forming a satellite ready building comprising the stepsof: installing drywall on studs; prior to substantially installingdrywall, installing satellite wire within walls of the building;terminating a satellite wire to form a first termination in a radomeoutside the house; terminating said satellite wire in a room; andcoupling the wires to a satellite jack.
 2. A method as recited in claim1 wherein the radome is contiguous with a surface.
 3. A method asrecited in claim 2 where radome is low-profile sized to contain asatellite antenna therein and is colored to match the surface.
 4. Amethod as recited in claim 2 wherein the surface is a roof and saidradome has a color to substantially match a roof color.
 5. (canceled) 6.A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of installinga satellite antenna in said radome and coupling the satellite antenna tothe radome.
 7. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein said antenna is alow profile antenna.
 8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said stepof terminating a satellite wire to form a first termination comprisesthe step of terminating said satellite wire adjacent to a roof of thebuilding.
 9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step ofterminating a satellite wire to form a first termination comprises thestep of terminating said satellite wire adjacent to siding of thebuilding.
 10. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the stepof coupling a television to said jack.
 11. A method as recited in claim1 further comprising the step of coupling a personal computer to saidjack.
 12. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step ofterminating said wire in a room comprises the step of terminating saidwire in a plurality of rooms.
 13. A method of forming a satellite readybuilding comprising the steps of: contacting a building constructor orhomeowner; at least partially subsidizing a satellite readyinstallation; and installing the satellite ready installation in thebuilding after the step of subsidizing.
 14. A method as recited in claim13 wherein the step of installing the satellite ready installationcomprises the steps of: installing satellite wire within walls of thebuilding; terminating a satellite wire to form a first terminationoutside the house; terminating said satellite wire in a room; andcoupling the wires to a satellite jack.
 15. A method as recited in claim13 wherein the step of subsidizing comprises paying the builder.
 16. Amethod as recited in claim 13 wherein the step of subsidizing comprisesproviding discounted satellite service for a predetermined time to saidhomeowner. 17.-28. (canceled)
 29. A multiple-unit building comprising:satellite wires having a first termination, a second termination, athird termination and a fourth termination, said first termination andsaid third termination positioned outside the building; a firstconnector coupled to said second termination; a second connector coupledto said fourth termination; a first radome for housing a first satelliteantenna, in conformance with a mounting surface of the building,enclosing said first termination; and a second radome for housing asecond satellite antenna, in conformance with the mounting surface ofthe building, enclosing said third termination, wherein said firstradome and said second radome are low-profile.
 30. A multiple-unitbuilding as recited in claim 29 wherein said second termination ispositioned in a first unit of the multiple unit building and said fourthtermination is positioned in a second unit of the multiple unitbuilding.
 31. A multiple-unit building as recited in claim 29 whereinthe first radome and the second radome are coextensive.
 32. Amultiple-unit building as recited in claim 29 wherein said first andsecond connector comprise a universal connector.
 33. A multiple-unitbuilding as recited in claim 32 wherein said universal connectorcomprises a phone jack, a cable TV jack, and a satellite TV jack.
 34. Amultiple-unit building as recited in claim 32 wherein said universalconnector comprises a LAN jack.
 35. A multiple-unit building as recitedin claim 32 further comprising a first satellite antenna and a secondsatellite antenna positioned respectively within said first radome andsaid second radome.
 36. A multiple-unit building as recited in claim 35wherein said first satellite antenna and said second satellite antennacomprise a flat antenna.
 37. A multiple-unit building as recited inclaim 35 wherein said first satellite antenna and said second satelliteantenna comprise a phase array antenna.
 38. A multiple-unit building asrecited in claim 35 wherein said first satellite antenna and said secondsatellite antenna comprise avariable-inclination-continuous-transverse-stub.
 39. A multiple-unitbuilding as recited in claim 29 wherein the first radome is contiguouswith a surface of the multiple-unit building.
 40. A multiple-unitbuilding as recited in claim 29 wherein said first radome and saidsecond radome have a color that substantially matches a roof color. 41.A multiple-unit building as recited in claim 29 wherein said firstradome and said second radome are contiguous with a mounting surface.42. A multiple-unit building as recited in claim 41 wherein the mountingsurface is a roof.
 43. A multiple-unit building as recited in claim 41wherein the mounting surface is siding.
 44. A method of forming amultiple unit satellite ready building comprising the steps of:installing satellite wire within walls of the building; installing aradome on the building; terminating the satellite wire to form a firsttermination outside the building within the radome; terminating thesatellite wire in a first unit of the building to form a secondtermination; terminating the satellite wire to form a third terminationoutside the building within the radome; terminating the satellite wirein a second unit of the building to form a fourth termination; andcoupling the satellite wires to satellite jacks.
 45. A method as recitedin claim 44 wherein terminating the satellite wire to form a firsttermination outside the building within the radome and terminating thesatellite wire to form a third termination outside the building withinthe radome comprises: terminating the satellite wire to form the firsttermination outside the building within a first radome; and terminatingthe satellite wire to form the third termination outside the buildingwithin a second radome.
 46. A method as recited in claim 44 wherein theradome is low-profile sized to contain a satellite antenna therein andis colored to match the surrounding roof material.
 47. A method asrecited in claim 44 wherein the radome has a color to substantiallymatch a roof color.
 48. A method as recited in claim 44 furthercomprising the step of installing a satellite antenna in the radome andcoupling the satellite wire to the antenna.
 49. A method as recited inclaim 48 wherein the satellite antenna is a low profile antenna.
 50. Amethod as recited in claim 44 wherein said step of terminating thesatellite wire to form a first termination comprises the step ofterminating the satellite wire adjacent to a roof of the building.
 51. Amethod as recited in claim 44 wherein said step of terminating thesatellite wire to form a first termination comprises the step ofterminating the satellite wire adjacent to a siding of the building. 52.A method as recited in claim 44 further comprising the step of couplinga television to said jack.
 53. A method as recited in claim 44 furthercomprising the step of coupling a personal computer to said jack.
 54. Amethod as recited in claim 44 wherein the step of installing the radomecomprises installing the radome contiguous with a surface of thebuilding.
 55. A method as recited in claim 54 wherein the surfacecomprises a roof.
 56. A method as recited in claim 54 wherein thesurface comprises a side.
 57. A multiple-unit satellite ready buildingcomprising: satellite wires having a first termination, a secondtermination a third termination and a fourth termination, said firsttermination and said third termination positioned outside the building,said satellite wires for distributing satellite signals therethrough; afirst connector coupled to said second termination within a first unitof the building; a second connector coupled to said fourth terminationwithin a second unit of the building; and a first low-profile radomedisposed on the building contiguously with a surface, said first radomeenclosing said first termination; and a second low-profile radomedisposed on the building contiguously with the surface, said secondradome enclosing said third termination.
 58. A multiple-unit satelliteready building as recited in claim 57 wherein the satellite signalscomprise computer signals and television signals.
 59. A multiple-unitsatellite ready building as recited in claim 57 wherein said first andsecond connector comprise a universal connector.
 60. A multiple-unitsatellite ready building as recited in claim 59 wherein said universalconnector comprises a phone jack, a cable TV jack, and a satellite TVjack.
 61. A multiple-unit satellite ready building as recited in claim59 wherein said universal connector comprises a LAN jack.
 62. Amultiple-unit satellite ready building as recited in claim 57 furthercomprising a first satellite antenna and a second satellite antennapositioned respectively within said first radome and said second radome.63. A multiple-unit satellite ready building as recited in claim 62wherein said first satellite antenna and said second satellite antennacomprise a flat antenna.
 64. A multiple-unit satellite ready building asrecited in claim 62 wherein said first satellite antenna and said secondsatellite antenna comprise a phase array antenna.
 65. A multiple-unitsatellite ready building as recited in claim 62 wherein said firstsatellite antenna and said second satellite antenna comprise avariable-inclination-continuous-transverse-stub.
 66. A multiple-unitsatellite ready building as recited in claim 57 wherein said firstradome and said second radome have a color to substantially match asurface color.
 67. A multiple-unit satellite ready building havingexterior walls, rooms and a roof, comprising: multiple satellite wires,each having first and second terminations and extending to respectiveunits of the multiple unit building for distributing satellite signalstherethrough; respective second terminations of said satellite wiresbeing suitably terminated within respective units of the multiple unitbuilding to enable devices within the units to receive the satellitesignals; and multiple low-profile radomes, each for housing at least oneflat satellite antenna therein and enclosing at least one of said firstterminations, conformably mounted on a mounting surface of the buildingso as to reduce visual intrusion.
 68. A multiple-unit satellite readybuilding as recited in claim 67, wherein each of said multiplelow-profile radomes is associated with a respective unit of the multipleunit building.
 69. A multiple-unit satellite ready building as recitedin claim 67, wherein the mounting surface is the roof and said multiplelow-profile radomes are built in the roof.
 70. A multiple-unit satelliteready building as recited in claim 67, wherein at least one of saidmultiple low-profile radomes is mounted on one of the exterior walls.71. A multiple-unit satellite ready building comprising: satellite wireshaving a first termination, a second termination, a third terminationand a fourth termination, said first termination and said thirdtermination positioned outside the building, said satellite wires fordistributing satellite signals therethrough; a first connector coupledto said second termination within a first unit of the building; a secondconnector coupled to said fourth termination within a second unit of thebuilding; a first low-profile radome enclosing said first terminationand disposed contiguous with a surface of the satellite ready building,said surface having a first color, said radome having a second colorblending with the first color to provide an aesthetically pleasing look;a first satellite television broadcast antenna disposed within the firstradome; a second low-profile radome enclosing said third termination anddisposed contiguous with the surface of the satellite ready building,said second radome having a second color blending with the first color;and a second satellite television broadcast antenna disposed within thesecond radome.
 72. A multiple-unit satellite ready building as recitedin claim 71, wherein the surface comprises a roof and said multiplelow-profile radomes are built into the roof.
 73. A multiple-unitsatellite ready building as recited in claim 71 wherein the surfacecomprises an exterior wall.
 74. A satellite ready building as recited inclaim 71 wherein the first antenna and second antenna comprise lowprofile antennas.
 75. A satellite ready building as recited in claim 71wherein the first antenna and second antenna comprise flat antennas. 76.A satellite ready building as recited in claim 71 wherein the firstantenna and second antenna comprise phase array antennas.
 77. Asatellite ready building as recited in claim 71 wherein the firstantenna and second antenna comprise variable-inclination-continuous-transverse-stubs.